Paris prosecutor opens investigation into France's handling of Covid-19 crisis

Issued on: 09/06/2020 - 15:17

Paris Public Prosecutor Remy Heitz delivers a speech during a press conference at the Strasbourg's High courthouse in Strasbourg, May 25 2019. © Patrick Hertzog, AFP | Paris Public Prosecutor Remy Heitz delivers a speech during a press conference at the Strasbourg's High courthouse in Strasbourg, northeastern France, the day after a lone gunman opened fire at a Christmas market in Strasbourg.

Text by: FRANCE 24 Follow

The chief prosecutor in Paris said Tuesday that he has opened a probe into the French state's handling of the coronavirus outbreak, with possible charges including "involuntary homicide" and "endangering life".

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The investigation, which comes after complaints were filed by members of the public, is not aimed at determining "political or administrative responsibility", Remy Heitz told AFP, but whether national authorities had committed "possible criminal offences".

President Emmanuel Macron, as head of state, has immunity from prosecution and is not a target of the inquiries.

(FRANCE 24 with AFP)